Office Visit: No room at the inn

We’re all familiar with the story of Mary and Joseph. During the holidays, we will hear their story numerous times and be reminded of their famous journey leading to the birth of their son in a manger.

We all remember when Mary and Joseph are turned away because there is no room at the inn.

Pay close attention to Mary’s unfortunate scenario, because it is the new normal for Medicare patients in America. Seniors will be searching for medical care and there will be no room in physician practices for treatment. Impending birth will not be the issue. Denial will stem from Medicare reimbursement.

Beverly Frake is a modern-day Mary in Bethlehem. Frake moved to North Carolina from upstate New York, to escape harsh winters and be closer to her daughter.

“I moved into this nice apartment, big medical complex across the street. I went to the medical complex and was told in the waiting room, they don’t take Medicare patients!” she told Forbes. “One employee added, “Well, honey. It’s just going to get worse.”

There are 600,000 physicians in America caring for more than 48 million seniors on Medicare. In the next decade, more than $415 billion in Obamacare cuts will chop reimbursements to hospitals, nursing homes and doctors. That is why Frake, and others like her, won’t be able to find anyone to meet their medical needs. Physicians won’t be able to afford it.

Patients will have to travel farther and wait longer to find help. Physicians will cut back on appointments for new Medicare patients, diminish staff or close doors for good.

In orthopedics, what orthopedic surgeons must pay in operational and practice costs and what they receive in reimbursements has progressively widened over an 18-year period. Although the cost of running an orthopedic practice has increased, reimbursements for a wide variety of procedures has plummeted. Next year, the situation worsens. An additional 30-percent cut is coming Jan. 1.

The archaic sustainable growth rate formula must be replaced before health care in America mirrors Mary and Joseph’s experience. Congress has no answers. America needs a Medicare miracle, but chances are there are not Three Wise Men in Washington to get the job done.

David Holden is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and currently serves on the board of directors with McBride Orthopedic Hospital in Oklahoma City.